Voluntary offseason program kicks off 'fresh start'

Texans quarterbacks T.J. Yates left, and Case Keenum started their competition for the backup job during organized team activities last May. After Keenum leapfrogged Yates last season, both will be on hand for the voluntary offseason condition program that starts today.

Texans quarterbacks T.J. Yates left, and Case Keenum started their competition for the backup job during organized team activities last May. After Keenum leapfrogged Yates last season, both will be on hand for

Texans quarterbacks T.J. Yates left, and Case Keenum started their competition for the backup job during organized team activities last May. After Keenum leapfrogged Yates last season, both will be on hand for the voluntary offseason condition program that starts today. less

Texans quarterbacks T.J. Yates left, and Case Keenum started their competition for the backup job during organized team activities last May. After Keenum leapfrogged Yates last season, both will be on hand for ... more

Photo: Hannah Foslien, Stringer

Voluntary offseason program kicks off 'fresh start'

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The Texans fell apart on the field and as a team during a disastrous 2013.

Veteran center Chris Myers wants to make sure this season's team remains united.

The push for a new togetherness starts Monday.

Thanks to their 2-14 record last year and new coach Bill O'Brien this year, the Texans are allowed to begin their voluntary offseason conditioning program earlier than most teams.

The action will be limited. Only strength and conditioning coaches will be allowed on the field the first two weeks, and the Texans' first voluntary minicamp isn't until May 6-8.

But Myers said players must buy in on day one under O'Brien. A strong showing of veterans Monday will prove the team is moving in the right direction, he said.

"I'm sure there's going to be a lot of turnout for that. I hope 100 percent, especially after last season," Myers said. "Everyone's committed 100 percent. We expect that. If not, there'll be some talking to do to some guys."

The Texans lacked player leadership in 2013, and the locker room weakened as 14 consecutive losses piled up, with some players fending for themselves and others eyeing their next contract with another team. Myers said the O'Brien era represents a clean slate and there's no time to waste for a squad that was the worst in the NFL last season.

"A lot of guys have been in and out of the (practice) facility and met a lot of the coaching staff. It's an exciting time in Houston right now," said Myers, who is entering his 10th NFL season and has played in all 16 regular-season games with the Texans during the last six years. "When you're in the NFL, if you have a close-minded personality - not open to having this new regime come in and implement its scheme - it's not your spot. You've got to be able to have all the openness to be able to learn and treat it like it's brand new. … I'm treating it like it's my rookie year all over again."

T.J. Yates also is ready for a redux.

The fourth-year quarterback was passed over last season by former coach Gary Kubiak, who opted for former third-stringer Case Keenum when starter Matt Schaub went down. Yates and Keenum will receive new looks by O'Brien, who enters the next few months of off-and-on training with three QBs likely competing for two regular-season spots. Recently signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick would be the starter if the season began Monday.

"I think that's why everyone is excited to get there Monday, to get the bad taste out of our mouth," Yates said. "It's going to be a fresh start for everybody: new coaches, new playbook, new staff, new workouts. … I'm excited. Everything about last year was crazy."